Two deadly explosions in the Nigerian northern city of Kaduna have killed more than fifty people and left dozen others injured on Wednesday afternoon.
The first explosion was said to have occurred around 13:44GMT (12:44pm) local time, as a suicide bomber reportedly tried to kill a prominent Islamic cleric, Sheik Dahiru Usman Bauchi, but the bomb missed his convoy and hitting over 30 of his followers.
They were said to have been returning from an annual Ramadan event when the incident happened. Local reporters say Sheik Dahiru Usman Bauchi has been very critical of the militant group, Boko Haram and many residents say they believe the attack was from Boko Haram, which was aimed at eliminating the sheik.
More than 30 people including Sheik Bauchi’s men and some pedestrians were killed while many others sustained various degrees of injuries.
The second blast was also said to have targeted a senior opposition leader, General Muhammadu Buhari and happened about an hour later after the first explosion.
The explosion was said to have happened in the crowded Kawo area, targeting the motorcade of Gen Buhari, a former military ruler of the country and also a senior member of the All Progressive Congress, which is the largest opposition party in Nigeria.
More than 20 people were said to have been killed and two body guards of General Buhari sustaining serious injuries.
Mr. Buhari came far-off second in presidential elections in 2011 and he also very critical of Boko Haram. He survived the attack but lost some of his men who were traveling in his convoy.
The Kaduna State Government has now imposed a 24-hour curfew in the city and its surrounding areas but residents say that is not the solution to the attacks which many people believe were carried out by Boko Haram.
In January last year, the then-emir of Kano, Al Haji Ado Bayero, survived an assassination attempt and in May this year, the emir of the northern area of Gwoza, Shehu Mustapha Idris Timta, was shot dead. All these attacks were blamed on Boko Haram.
Local reporters say this attack comes after Boko Haram massacred dozens of people the town of Damboa earlier this week. Boko Haram has now taken full control of the town and are said to be collecting taxes from local residents.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan asked Parliament last week to approve a loan agreement worth $1bn to help the military fight Boko Haram. But the parliamentarians have now gone on a two-month recess without debating the request.
Nigeria’s soldiers have frequently complained that the militants have superior firepower due to poor logistics and ammunitions.
Boko Haram has stepped up its attacks ever since it abducted the Chibok schoolgirls in April which has sparked an international outrage.
An international rescue operation is still being carried out by the US and its allies to be able to locate and free the abducted schoolgirls.
The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre and the Norwegian Refugee Council has said that more than 3,300 people have been killed by Boko Haram this year alone. Political analysts say this the worse year for Nigeria since Boko Haram began its campaign in 2009.
President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he would use force to eliminate Boko Haram from Nigeria to bring back the peace the country enjoyed previously.
But this promise has yielded no results as Boko Haram still attack when and where they like without any resistance from government troops.
Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News
